Work Injury Claim, Mark Grell Prevails

Lance P. v. AC Construction, Inc. Lance suffered a work injury to his back after falling off his drywall stilts, requiring back surgery. The employer’s insurance company paid for this procedure. Unfortunately, this procedure did not improve his condition, and his treating doctor recommended further surgery in the form of a lumbar fusion. The insurance company refused to pay for this treatment and also cut off Lance’s weekly benefits. Mark Grell successfully obtained a judge’s order requiring the insurance company to pay Lance his back temporary total disability benefits, as well as a 50% waiting-time penalty for wrongfully cutting off his benefits. The judge also awarded future treatment as recommended by his treating doctor and ongoing temporary total disability.